Syracuse Football: Top-5 bitter sweet oranges from loss to LSU

4. Steve Ishmael is really good

Well at least there’ll be one positive takeaway from this game and that’s Steve Ishmael. Last season, Amba Etta-Tawo showed in just one season in Orange that he was worth a kick at the next level. With Ishmael’s play, he’s doing the same exact thing.

So far through this season, Ishmael leads the NCAA in receptions and has had four straight 100+ yard contests to start the season. He ended up with 11 receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown which led the team, per ESPN.

Ishmael displayed what he does best throughout this game: winning 50-50 balls. For those who don’t know, a 50-50 ball is when a quarterback throws it up and sees if his receiver can go get it. It’s one of the game’s most interesting one-on-one chess matches in a game.

Ishmael has all the tools and came down with his fair share of big time plays in this game to keep the Orange in it. From key third down conversions to SU’s last score to bring them within a field goal late. SU may be .500, but don’t blame Ish for not doing his part.